Removing bottle caps

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for removing caps off of bottles being shifted along on a conveyor means. The bottles are held between a pair of laterally spaced elongated gripping surfaces as they are moved through a cap removing station for restraining the bottles against rotation. An elongated stationary member engages one side of the cap, while a moving belt engages the other side of the cap producing a forced couple which twists the cap off of the bottle. Streams of air lift the cap into a receptacle.

nited States Patent [1 1 Hartness 1 5] Nov. 5, 1974 1 REMOVING BOTTLECAPS [76] Inventor: Thomas P. Hartness, 305

Bridgewater Dr., Greenville, SC.

[22] Filed: Nov. 3, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 303,650

[52] 11.8. C1. 53/3, 53/381 A [51] Int. Cl B65b 43/40 [58] Field ofSearch 53/3, 317, 318, 381 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,606,707 8/1952 Tambini53/318 X 2,855,736 10/1958 Harmon et a1. 53/317 X 2,876,605 3/1959McElroy et al. 53/317 X 2,940,229 6/1960 Baker 53/3 3,054,234 9/1962Stover 53/317 X Hildcbrandt et a1 53/318 X Harmon 53/318 X PrimaryExaminerTravis S. McGchee Assistant Examiner-John Sipos Attorney, Agent,or Firm-Bailey & Dority [57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus forremoving caps off of bottles being shifted along on a conveyor means.The bottles are held between a pair of laterally spaced elongatedgripping surfaces as they are moved through a cap removing station forrestraining the bottles against rotation. An elongated stationary memberengages one side of the cap, while a moving belt engages the other sideof the cap producing a forced couple which twists the cap off of thebottle. Streams of air lift the cap into a receptacle.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures 1 REMOVING BOTTLE CAPS This inventionrelates to a method and apparatus for removing threaded caps fromreusable bottles, and more particularly to a method and apparatus whichutilizes a force couple for twisting the cap off while the bottles arebeing shifted in succession along a conveyor.

Since the development of threaded caps for drink bottles a problem hasarisen in that prior to reusing the bottles any cap replaced thereon bythe consumer must be removed. This has become more prevalent in recentyears as a result of consumers replacing the caps on the empty bottlesin order to avoid littering. This is becoming a greater problem asbottlers are reverting back to the reusable bottles, rather than usingdisposable bottles.

I-Ieretofore, one apparatus for removing the caps utilized a conveyorwhich moved the bottles in succession into a star wheel for positioningthe bottle directly under a cap removing apparatus which applied atwisting force to the cap. These apparatus worked satisfactory forremoving caps, however, they are relatively expensive.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention toprovide a simple and relatively inexpensive apparatus for removing capsfrom reusable bottles prior to the bottles being washed for refilling.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide anapparatus and method for removing caps from bottles which utilizes aforced couple produced by a moving belt engaging the cap on one side anda stationary surface engaging the cap on the other side while the bottleis being shifted along a conveyor.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide amethod and apparatus for which a bottle is restrained from rotating on aconveyor, while a belt engages the cap on the bottle for imparting atwisting force thereto, so as to roll the cap off against a stationarymember with a minimum of wear on the belt.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparentfrom a reading of the following detailed description and appended claimstaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 isa perspective view, with parts removed for purpose of clarity,illustrating an apparatus constructed in accordance with the presentinvention provided for removing caps from bottles,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, with partsremoved for purpose of clarity,

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view, with parts being in section,taken from the end of the apparatus I illustrated in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the twisting action being imparted toa cap while removing it from a bottle.

Referring in more detail to the drawings there is illustrated anapparatus for removing threaded caps from a plurality of bottles beingshifted by a conveyor means in succession to a cap removing station,generally designated by the reference character A. A pair of laterallyspaced elongated gripping surfaces B engage opposite sides of thebottles restraining the bottles against rotation as the bottles aremoved forward on the conveyor. Means C is provided for moving thegripping surfaces in a forward direction at substantially the same rateof speed. An elongated stationary member D is carried above the grippingsurfaces and positioned for engaging one side of the caps on the bottlesas the bottles are moved forward on the conveyor. An elongated belt E iscarried on the opposite side of the bottles from the stationary memberfor engaging the other side of the cap. Means F is provided for movingthe elongated belt E in a forward direction at a higher rate of speedthan the gripping surfaces are moving the bottles for rotating the capsrelative to the bottles. Thus, a forced couple is produced on the cap bythe elongated belt and the stationary member rotating the cap whichrolls along the stationary member minimizing wear. A pair of air streamsare provided for lifting the unscrewed caps from the bottles, anddepositing such into a receptacle.

Referring in more detail to FIG. 1, the apparatus provided for removingthreaded caps from a plurality of bottles 10 is usually located about anendless conveyor 12 which is provided for carrying the bottles to awashing and filling station. Before the bottles enter the apparatus forwashing it is necessary that all caps carried on the bottles be removed.This is accomplished by sending the bottles through a cap removingstation, generally designated by the reference character A, as shown inFIG. 1. The cap removing station includes a frame member which includesvertical end frame members 14 and 15 which are joined together bysuitable cross bracing, such as shown at 16, 17 and 18. The end members14 and 15 are U-shaped and are constructed of any suitable material suchas angle-iron.

As the bottles are moved along by the endless conveyor 12 between thespaced guide rails 19 and 20 they are brought in contact with theelongated gripping surfaces B. In the particular embodiment illustratedin the drawings the gripping surfaces B includes three vertical spacedbelts 21 positioned on opposite sides of the conveyor 12 which engagethe bottles 10 as they pass through the cap removing station A. Theguide rails 19 and 20 terminate adjacent the pulleys 22, around whichthe belts pass. The belts 21 which defines the elongated grippingsurface B are as previously mentioned, carried on the pulleys 22 and 23.The pulleys 22 are, in turn, supported on a vertical shaft 24 that isjournalled in bearing blocks 25 and 26 which are supported on suitablecross braces, such as 18.

The pulleys 23 are keyed to a vertical shaft 27 which is, in turn,journalled in the bearing blocks 28 and 29. The bearing blocks 28 and 29are also supported on the cross-braces, such as 18. The lower end of thevertical shaft 27 is coupled by a coupling 30 to the output shaft of agear reduction box 31. The input shaft (not shown) of the gear reductionbox 31 is, in turn, directly connected to an electric motor 32. Theelectric motor 32 also drives a gear reduction box 33 which is coupledto the vertical shaft 27 provided on the other side of the conveyorwhich, in turn, supports the pulleys 23 having the elongated belts 21extending therearound.

In order to bring the belts 21 in contact with the bottles as they passthrough the cap removing station an elongated metallic plate 35supported on threaded adjustable rods 36 presses against the belts 21forcing them in contact with the bottles. The rods 36 are threaded invertical supporting posts 37. The lower end of the vertical supportingposts 37 are attached by the rods 38 to the frame which supports theconveyor 12.

Adherred to the inner surface of the metallic plate 35 is an elongatedsheet 39 of high molecular-weight polyethylene which provides aself-lubricating bearing surface for the belts 21 as they ridethereagainst. The rods 36 have sprockets 40 carried thereon around whicha chain 41 passes so that when one of the threaded rods 36 is rotatedthe other is rotated therewith so as to move the metallic plate 35 inand out relative to the bottles passing on the conveyor. A similaradjustment mechanism is provided for the belts 21 carried on theopposite side of the conveyor so that the belts 21 engage opposite sidesof the bottles as they pass through the cap removing station A andrestrains the bottles against rotation while moving them forward. Thebelts 21 on opposite sides of the conveyor are moved at the same speedsince they are driven by the same electric motor 32 through identicalgear boxes 31 and 33.

A bearing post 42 which is capable of being shifted in and out relativeto the conveyor in a conventional manner is provided for maintaining theproper tension in the belts 21.

The means C for moving the gripping surfaces B, as

previously mentioned, includes the motor 32, gear reduction boxes 33 andthe pulleys 22 and 23.

The elongated stationary member D (FIG. 3), which is carried above thegripping surfaces B includes a portion 43 of a conventional belt whichis adherred to a plate 44. The plate 44 is, in turn, journalled on a rod45 that can be rotated to move the fixed belt portion 43 in and outrelative to the top of the bottle 10. The other end of the rod 45 isthreaded through a bracket 46 carried by the posts 37. The knob 48 iscarried on the end of the rod for rotating such.

Positioned on the opposite side of the path of the bottles 10 from theelongated stationary member D is an elongated belt E. The belt E iscarried on pulley wheels 49 which have a circumference substantiallytwice that of the pulley wheels 22. The pulley wheels 49, are in turn,supported on shafts 50 and 51. Shaft 51 is coupled through a directchain linkage to shaft 27 which drives pulley 23 so that such arerotated at the identical speed. The linkage between shaft 27 and 51 arenot shown for purpose of clarity. A tensioning roller 52 which can bemoved in and out relative to the conveyor is provided for maintainingthe proper tension in the belt E. The means F for moving the elongatedbelt E as previously mentioned, includes a linkage coupled between thevertical shaft 27 for pulley 23 and the vertical shaft 51 for pulley 49.

As the bottles 10 with caps thereon are moved along on the conventionalconveyor belt 12 through the cap removing station A the elongatedgripping surfaces B, which include the belts 21, engage the bottlespreventing them from rotating while moving them forward through the capremoving station. The elongated belt E then engages one side of the capwhile the other side of the cap engages the fixed belt 43. Since thebelt E is moving at a linear speed of twice that of the belts 21 aforced couple is produced between the fixed belt 43 and the cap whereinthe cap 13 is caused to be rotated by the moving elongated belt E whileit is rolled along the surface of the fixed elongated stationary memberD which includes the belt 43 (see FIG. 4). This causes the cap to betwisted off of the bottle and minimizes wear on the fixed belt 43.

The pressure imparted by the elongated belt E may be varied by moving anelongated adjustable plate 54 carried on the inside of the belt. On theinnersurface of the adjustable plate 54 is a layer of high molecularweight polyethylene 55 which minimizes wear on the inside of the belt Eas such is rotated thereacross. The plate 54 is supported on a threadedrod similar to plate 35 but such apparatus is not illustrated forpurposes of clarity.

Adjacent the end of the cap removing station A is provided an elongatedleather strip 56 which is supported by a bracket suitably mounted on theframe which engages the top of the unscrewed cap 13 for holding such ontop of the bottles 10 until the bottles pass between a pair of tubes 57and 58. A stream of air passes through tubes 57 and 58 lifting the capfrom the top of the bottle into an arcuate tube 59 for depositing thecap in a receptacle below the other end of the arcuate tube 59. Thetubes 57 and 58 are connected to any suitable source of pressurized airand create a venturi action in the throat of the tube 58 causing thecaps to be ejected off of the bottles.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described usingspecific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, andit is to be understood that changes and variations may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for removing a threaded cap having a top and side wallfrom a bottle comprising: conveyor means for supporting and moving saidbottle in a forward direction; a pair of laterally spaced elongatedgripping surfaces engaging opposite sides of said bottle restrainingsaid bottle against rotation as said bottle is moved forward on saidconveyor; means for moving said gripping surfaces in a forward directionat substantially the same rate of speed; an elongated stationary membercarried above said gripping surfaces positioned for engaging a side wallof a cap on said bottle as said bottle is moved forward on saidconveyor; an elongated belt carried on the opposite side of said bottlefrom said stationary member engaging the other side of said side wall ofsaid cap; means for moving said elongated belt in a forward direction ata higher rate of speed than said gripping surfaces are being moved forrotating said cap relative to said bottle; whereby said cap is rotatedoff said bottle as said bottle is restrained from rotating by said pairof elongated gripping surfaces.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said elongated belt ismoved forward at twice the speed as said gripping surfaces so that assaid elongated belt rotates said cap relative to said bottle said cap isrolled along said elongated stationary member.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 further comprising: means forgenerating a plurality of streams of air for lifting said unscrewed capfrom said bottle.

4. The method of removing threaded caps having a side wall and top froma plurality of bottles preparatory to reusing the bottles comprising:moving said bottles in succession on a conveyor to a cap removingstation; restraining said bottles from rotating as said bottles aremoved through said cap removing station at a first speed; bringing oneside of said side wall of said caps in engagement with an elongatedstationary member as said bottles are moved in a forward directionthrough 7 3,845 ,605 6 said cap removing station; engaging the oppositeside from said bottle. of Said Side wall of said caps with a moving at a5. The method as set forth in claim 3 further comprishigher rate ofspeed than said first speed; producing a forced couple which causes saidcaps to rotate relative hftmg Sald unscrewed caps from Sam bottles wlthto said moving bottles while rolling along said elon- 5 all streams intoa receptaclegated stationary member thus unscrewing said caps

1. An apparatus for removing a threaded cap having a top and side wallfrom a bottle comprising: conveyor means for supporting and moving saidbottle in a forward direction; a pair of laterally spaced elongatedgripping surfaces engaging opposite sides of said bottle restrainingsaid bottle against rotation as said bottle is moved forward on saidconveyor; means for moving said gripping surfaces in a forward directionat substantially the same rate of speed; an elongated stationary membercarried above said gripping surfaces positioned for engaging a side wallof a cap on said bottle as said bottle is moved forward on saidconveyor; an elongated belt carried on the opposite side of said bottlefrom said stationary member engaging the other side of said side wall ofsaid cap; means for moving said elongated belt in a forward direction ata higher rate of speed than said gripping surfaces are being moved forrotating said cap relative to said bottle; whereby said cap is rotatedoff said bottle as said bottle is restrained from rotating by said pairof elongated gripping surfaces.
 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim1, wherein said elongated belt is moved forward at twice the speed assaid gripping surfaces so that as said elongated belt rotates said caprelative to said bottle said cap is rolled along said elongatedstationary member.
 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 furthercomprising: means for generating a plurality of streams of air forlifting said unscrewed cap from said bottle.
 4. The method of removingthreaded caps having a side wall and top from a plurality of bottlespreparatory to reusing the bottles comprising: moving said bottles insuccession on a conveyor to a cap removing station; restraining saidbottles from rotating as said bottles are moved through said capremoving station at a first speed; bringing one side of said side wallof said caps in engagement with an elongated stationary member as saidbottles are moved in a forward direction through said cap removingstation; engaging the opposite side of said side wall of said caps witha belt moving at a higher rate of speed than said first speed; producinga forced couple which causes said caps to rotate relative to said movingbottles while rolling along said elongated stationary member thusunscrewing said caps from said bottle.
 5. The method as set forth inclaim 3 further comprising: lifting said unscrewed caps from saidbottles with air streams into a receptacle.